Heartfelt for Jimmie

There were numerous martyrs on the road to passing the Voting Rights Act. But the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson in 1965 was a turning point. According to the National Civil Rights Museum, Jimmie, his mother, and grandfather were at a demonstration when attacked by state troopers. The three sought refuge in a restaurant, but trooper James Bonard Fowler pursued them, then shot Jimmie twice, while the 26-year old protected his mother. Recovering after surgery, Jimmie was unjustly served with a warrant for assault and battery with intent to murder a police officer. Subjected to a second surgery, over objections by his doctor, and erroneously given anesthesia instead of oxygen, he died. The local black community was infuriated. James Bevel of SCLC proposed marching Jimmie’s body to the state capitol in Montgomery and placing it before Governor George Wallace. Though the body was not carried, they did march. The marches, including Bloody Sunday, moved the nation to demand the passage of the Voting Rights Act. In 2007, James Bonard Fowler was indicted for the murder of Jimmie Lee Jackson. He pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and served five months in prison.